Backlog

A backlog is a list of issues or product requirements to be completed. Backlog issues are usually sorted by priority.

You can use the Backlog tab to store your team's critical issues, sort them by priority, and distribute them across sprints. You can create new issues or add existing ones to both the backlog and directly to a sprint. To move an issue from the backlog to a sprint, just drag its card from one list to another.

Track an issue's validity in the backlog: it should not contain any closed issues, duplicate issues, or issues that work cannot be started on in the near future.

In addition to backlog and sprint columns, you can create custom columns and use them as an additional backlog with manually selected issues. For example, a custom column may contain issues to be discussed with the team members during the nearest planning or issue estimation (refinement).

Enabling a backlog on basic boardsEnabling a backlog on basic boards

The Backlog tab with a backlog and sprints is by default available onWith backlog and sprints boards. The tab is missing on Basic, but you can enable it.

To enable a backlog and sprints on Basic boards:

1. Click Enable backlog at the top of the screen.

2. If the issue board already contains issues, select where to move them: to the backlog or sprint.

This opens the Backlog tab with a list of backlog issues and sprints.

Adding issues to a backlogAdding issues to a backlog

You can add or create an issue from any queue that you have access to.

To add a single issue:

1. Decide where to add an issue (to the backlog or sprint) and click + Add issue in the appropriate section.
2. Select an existing issue or create a new one right on the board.

To add a group of issues, such as all issues from a queue with a certain assignee, use issue auto-import:

1. On the board, click Settings → Automatic issues addition and removal.
2. Under Adding issues to the board, click + Add parameters. Select a parameter from the list and set its value. For example, to add all issues where you are the assignee to the board, select the Assignee parameter and set it to Me. To add more parameters, repeat the step.

You can also add a group of issues using bulk edits:

1. On the search issues page, select the issues to add by selecting the checkboxes to the left of the issue names.
2. In the panel with bulk issue actions that opens at the bottom of the screen, click → Add to board. Search for the appropriate board by name and click Apply.

How to remove issues from the backlogHow to remove issues from the backlog

1. Hover over the issue you want to delete.

2. Click → Remove from backlog.

How to limit issues in the backlogHow to limit issues in the backlog

To set the maximum number of issues that can be assigned a given status:

1. To the right of the status, click → Maximum number of issues.

2. Set a limit for the number of issues.

3. Click Save.